UNITED STATES OP AMEMCA. 



N 



\ 



FLOWERS OF THE SPIRIT 



ELLA Ai'GLLES 

Author of 

'BA CHELOR BEN,'' ^'MAIDEN RA CHEL^'>'> 

''OUT OF THE SHADOWS,'' ETC. 



@^^:i-^ 
'/^ 




CHICAGO 

CHARLES H. KERR & COMPANY 

175 Dearborn Street 

1891 






Copyright, 1890 
By Ella A. Giles. 



/ 
/ 



^ TO MY MOTHER. 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2010 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/flowersofspiritOOrudd 



POKMS. 



Wind-Flowers .--- 7 

Flowers of the Spirit 9 

In the Garden 12 

The Cyclamen 15 

Little Blue Shoes - 16 

Ah Me, though Free - 19 

Arbutus _----. ----21 

Let Me Think Thou Lovest Me . . - . 22 

In the Fullness of Time 24 

Irma 26 

Within the Soul 28 

Since My Letter 30 

Pink Roses 31 

Wait 33 

In Coming Days 35 

If Thou Canst Tell Me Something Kind - - 37 

O Ye Beauteous Hills of Frankfort! - - - - 40 

Gounod's Spring Song 42 

To a Southern Lyrist 44 

At Ocean Springs 46 

In a Library 48 

On Beginning a Study of Browning - - - 49 

A Woman's Love 50 

A Comparison -- 51 

5 



6 POEMS. 

Eock of Hope 53 

Revision ----------55 

Defeat 57 

The Value of Gifts ------- 58 

Joy -----58 

My Hitter's Wee Bit Plaid 59 

Begone, Suspense! --------60 

Hope and Faith 61 

I Dreamed that You Loved Me - - - - - 62 

Immortal -- 64 

Optimism - 65 

Excuse -- 66 

In Miniature - 68 

The Invisible Singer 69 

Pain ----- - 70 

Paradoxical ---------72 

Inherited Memories - - - - -- - -73 

The Boat that Holds but Two - . - - 75 

Valhalla - - 79 

Within Thy Desk -------- 80 

Forgiveness _--- 83 

Mute- - - 84 

The Freedom Love Doth Crave - - - - - 85 

Starward 86 

Souvenir ---89 

Lo, I've Seen An Eagle's Nest - - - - - 90 
I Have Come To Go 92 



WIND-FLOWERS. 

graves of my dead and living ! 
O frosts in my soul as the clime ! 

Impatient list I for the voice 

Of the Northland's slow springtime,- 
The heart's long-lost springtime. 

Lo ! purple flowerets, breathing 
Faint fragrance in my room, 

Chide soft this fond May morning 
My mind's distrustful gloom,— 
Its almost godless gloom. 

The downy-nested petals 

Swift to my lips I press, 
The hopes of fourscore springtimes 

Throb in the mute caress,— 

The same divine caress. 



WIND-FLOWEES. 

Far up the stony hillside, 

'Mid snow-drifts, weeping, dying, 

They grew in gentle triumph, 
While mortals sat a-sighing,— 
All doubt-chilled, sat a-sighing. 

O graves of my dead and living ! 
warmth in my soul as the clime ! 

List I no more for the coming 

Of the sweet and true springtime, — 
The heart's delayed springtime. 



FLOWERS OF THE SPIRIT. 

sister of sweet Charity, 

1 bend me low and list to thee. 
Thy dying lips may yet confess 
The secret of unworldliness. 

Thy face is wreathed in smiles serene, 

As o'er thy couch I fondly lean 

To hear thee in soft accents speak. 

Wilt thou not tell me where to seek 

Such grace as thine? I fain would know 

What lends thy death this steady glow 

Of cheerfulness. With waning breath 

Thou answerest— " On bed of death, 

Holy Mother, give me voice 

To tell this child why I rejoice 

At my last hour. Oh, let me tell 

What incense pure, ineffable. 

Steals o'er my soul, that when I die 

My holy robe of Charity 
9 



10 FLOWERS OF THE SPIRIT. 

May fall upon her gentle form. 

Oh, shield her ever from the storm 

Of selfish interests which assail 

The human heart ! Let her not quail 

Before the world, but braver be 

For having heard these words from me. 

'« Every hopeful smile I've given 
The despondent and sin-riven ; 
Every tear I thought was lost 
On lives wrecked and tempest-tossed ; 
Every kind word I have spoken, 
To the weary and heart-broken ; 
Every generous act committed ; 
E'en the noble thought that flitted 
O'er my soul's deep silentness. 
Seeming to be meaningless ; 
Every thrill of sympathy,— 
Now in living flower 1 see. 

Child ! thou lovest flowers, too ! 
Let thy life, like sun and dew. 



FLOWERS OF THE SPIRIT. 11 

Nourish saintly germs that lie 
Waiting tender ministry. 
Thou shalt have them in their beauty, 
Flowers of love and flowers of duty ; 
Blossoms rare, unfolding ever, — 
Thou shalt be without them never. 
Though thy days pass noiselessly, 
Secret growths there yet may be. 
That, long hid from human eyes. 
Thou, at last, in rapt surprise 
May see matured, and perfected 
In light and warmth by thy life shed. 
Fadeless flowers may be thine ! 
Born of thoughts and deeds divine. 



IN THE GAEDEN. 

In the garden slowly strolling 

One bright morn ; 
With my eyes downcast and tearful, 

Heart forlorn; 
Saw I creeping out to meet me 

A fresh flower, 
Hidden underneath the pavement 

Till that hour. 
Just one blossom of deep purple 

Lifting up. 
In a tender thirst for dewdrops, 

Its frail cup. 
Knelt I there while stole upon me 

Memories slow, 
Of a sainted mother's planting 

Years ago 

Morning-glory seeds, and watching 

All in vain 

12 



IN THE GARDEN. 13 

For their sprouting and their blooming. 

Twice again, 
At the dawn of day, I wandered 

There to greet, 
As it trembling lay in beauty 

Near irfy feet. 
That sweet blossom, whose communion 

Cheered my heart ; 
Bidding all my soulful fancies 

Ne'er depart. 
On the third morn, disappointed 

And depressed, 
That no flower had bloomed responsive 

To my quest, 
For some token of her presence 

Lone I wept, 
As I stood in silent sorrow. 

Swiftly crept 
To my side the white-robed figure 

Of a child. 
Holding up in glee the flower 

That had smiled 



14 IN THE GARDEN. 

Early on its sunny pathway. 
Ah, the gain ! 

Bent I low and kissed her forehead. 

Fled my pain 
At the thought that she, who planted 

Long ago 
Morning-glories, would be happy 

Could she know 
That one blossom's simple mission 

Was to take 
Pleasure to a little stranger 

For her sake. 



THE CYCLAMEN. 

Thou liftest high thy form among thy mates, 

And shyly bend'st thy head as violets do. 

And oft I liken thee to one I know, 

Who is both meekly strong and coyly true. 

Among them all there is no maid who seems 

So far removed, yet sways so near as she 

In her responsiveness ; ne'er courting love 

With subtle arts ; by nature bred to be 

Bravest in soul, when timidest in air. 

Self-poised in regal pride— an humble queeno 

An Artemis in grace and graciousness ; 

Love-conscious, blushing under glances keen. 

Inviting Cyclamen, and smiling girl, 

Bloom on! from flower-depths thy candid eyes 

Awake but chaste desire. I dare be fond— 

Thou art so maiden-pure and woman-wise. 

15 



LITTLE BLUE SHOES. 

Two little shoes of worsted blue, 

With satin ribbons woven through 

The pretty tops, and slowly tied 

By trembling hands that could not hide 

Their owner's joy, as, standing there, 

She proudly held aloft the pair. 

Two tiny shoes of azure blue 

Were shown to me— but not to you. 

She softly spoke. What matchless grace 
Lighted her sweet Madonna face ! 
In smiling lips and cheeks aglow 
I saw no fear of future woe. 
Trust deepened in her tender eyes ; 
She leaned in meditative guise. 
Touching those dots of turquois hue; 
Whispering low— but not to you. 



LITTLE BLUE SHOES. ' 17 

She whispers now ; I yet can see 
Her feature's gentle mystery. 
She smiles and beckons. Fancy teems 
With fairy etchings, faint as dreams, 
But dimly true within my thought, 
As I surveyed the sweet work, wrought 
In hours transcendent,— shapes in blue, 
-Long hid from me,— still hid from you. 

Like little ships, serene and still, 
They wait for passengers to fill 
Their cosy cabins, warm and neat, 
Crocheted to shelter baby-feet. 
In many ports of love and cheer, 
Such harbingers of life appear. 
From pictures myriad I choose — 
A woman showing tiny shoes. 

For little shoes will ever wait 
The little feet that kindly fate 
Brings to the hallowed harbor fair 
Of father's kiss and mother's care. 



18 LITTLE BLUE SHOES. 

The Slimmer comes ; the summer goes ; 
But scenes like this it ne'er outgrows, — 
Queer little shoes so soft and blue, 
Sometime— sometime, you'll see them too. 



AH ME ! THOUGH FREE. 

If I can only show thee, dear, 
The truth my soul perceives 
(Since losing* me so grieves), 
If I can banish all thy fear, 
And thou canst to thy God draw near, 
Without those superstitions drear, 
How happy we may be ! 
Ah me! 
How free 
And happy we may be. 

If I can break the ties that hold 
Thee to thy dim faith, dear. 
And show thee mine so clear ! 
If now, as we are growing old, 
We share the blessings manifold 
Of liberty, by Christ foretold. 
How happy may we be. 
Ah me! 
How free 
And happy may we be. 
19 



20 AH ME! THOUGH FREE. 

Alas 1 1 cannot show thee, dear, 
The truth my soul perceives 
(Nor tell thee how it grrieves). 
* Thou wilt not hear my words. Dost fear, 
Lest, losing some delusions drear, 
Thou'lt find that my belief can cheer, 
And thine is heresy ? 
Ah me! 
How free 
Ought every mind to be. 

And so our souls must part for aye; 
Each loyal to the wraith 
Of reason and of faith. 
And so we sit and think and sigh. 
And so the weary years go by, 
And still both wonder vaguely why 
We cannot happy be. 
Ah me ! 
Though free, 
"We cannot happy be. 



ABBUTUS. 

The sweet significance of certain flowers 

Which some botanic scholar has discerned 

I care nought for ; each bud of varying hues 

Makes its own dialect. And since I've learned 

Of the unending genesis of Love — 

I hold that every flower has message new, 

And breathes a secret forth in silentness 

To one whose heart is nature -tuned. Thou'rt 

true ! 
The proof lies in the Arbutus sent me 
'Mid these bleak haunts, from thy far mountain 

home; 

It breathes this Easter morn thy constancy. 

21 



LET ME THINK THOU LOYEST ME. 

Let me think thou lovest me, 

Since the thought doth fill 

(Ever fill) 

All my being with delight 

And my pulses thrill 

(Quickly thrill). 

Let me think the carping world 

Holds for thee no one 

(Favored one). 

Half so dear as I, whose faults 

Thou wilt oft condone 

(Swift condone). 

0, how sweet it is to muse 

On thy gentleness 

(Gentleness); 

Thy fond smile; thy gracious mien^ 

And thy soft caress, 

(Rare caress). 
22 



LET ME THINK THOU LOVEST ME. 23 

Though 'tis all delusion's snare 
I would not be free, 

(Not be free). 
Let me dream while life doth last 
That thou lovest me, 

(Lov'st but me.) 



IN THE FULNESS OF TIME. 

Fate's store holds happiness as well as woe, 

And when you question her you cannot know 

How kind the answer is, how wise, how true, 

Which slumbers dormant in her mind for you. 

So let there be calm hope-days in your life ; 

Full of divine content, devoid of strife ; 

Hours when your inner, spiritual eye 

Dwells on the law of final unity. 

Ah, heart, believe it — you will have your own ! 

Fateful Nemesis will not always frown, — 

Smiling she yet will bring you what is fit. 

Though now the space between seems infinite. 

That which belongs to you will surely come. 

And in your waiting soul find its true home. . 

That which great Zeus withholds a curse would be: 

Seek not to aid all-powerful destiny. 

Oh, be not faithless, though the cofiin-hd 

Of fate your living as your dead hath hid ; 

24 



IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME. 25 

Moan not in loneliness and grief and pain, 
For surely you shall find your own again. 
God planneth for your good, not to your harm- 
There is no cause for doubt, distrust, alarm, 
Though dim the dawn of peace, let faith sublime 
Unfold in the full, noonday light of time. 



IRMA. 

Forget it all— poor aching heart. 

The sense's peace, the spirit's smart. 

Lift thy proud head, bowed down to-day, 

With guilt thou fearest to betray. 

Measure no more the light, the shade, 

The gladness and the gloom it made. 

For none can solve the riddle— life. 

Thine Irma's love, thine her vain strife. 

Like her, thou'rt dwelling on the height 

Alone, remote from human sight. 

When men do think they see thee here 

Far off art thou, seeming so near,— 

Never so sweet and near as now, 

With wakened sense and hidden brow ; 

With anguished eyes that half reveal 

The secret thou would'st fain conceal. 

Like Irma thou hast peace within ; 

For self-condoned, if it were sin, 
26 



IRMA. 27 

Is cause of exile. God's green hills 
Are reached but through subverted ills. 
Forget it all— strong, gentle maid, 
Who met thy King. Be not afraid ! 
The Friend of Magdalen will be 
Thine too. From morbid memories flee. 
Come back, O Irma, to thy home; 
No longer on the sad hills roam. 
The name writ on thy forehead white 
Has faded in thy soul's pure light. 



WITHIN THE SOUL. 

struggling heart and clouded soul, 

Whisper to me the final goal 

Of all thy hopes ! Is it to stand 

On some high point of Fame's fair land. 

To look, with pride of self-content, 

On the low pla,ne of lives still spent 

In vain attempts to rise above 

Their harder lot ? Full well we love 

The summit air of praise deserved, 

But millions strive who are not nerved 

To lofty courage by applause. 

Canst thou, then, see some righteous cause 

Why thou shouldst be exempt from ills 

That others suffer? Sorrow kills 

Only the weak. The brave endure, 

And find for every woe a cure 

In patient prayer and active faith. 

Be not dismayed ! For only death 

28 



WITHIN THE SOUL. 29 

Can check the onward steps of those 
Who strive for heights of calm repose 
Within the soul. And we do hope 
That, far beyond our earthly scope, 
Lie hills of peace that Life conceals ; 
Transfigured mounts that Death reveals; 
Oh, learn to know the just decree 
Of Nature and of Destiny; 
And though they hold thee long in thrall 
Climb heavenward in spite of all ! 



SINCE MY LETTER. 

And is there, then, no finer, softer speech, 
More swift than word of lip, or line of pen, 
By which the language of our souls can reach 
Beyond our being's scope, or sense's ken? 

No tidings since my letter, love? Oh, lend 
Your spirit's ear, and the heart's guerdon fleet 
"Which I, in voiceless feeling, hourly send, 
Thus listening in raptured silence greet. 

No token since the freighted envelope 

Winged its long way to eager, waiting hands, 

Has gone to strengthen your too-timid hope. 

And prove my constancy in distant lands. 

But trust me, my own ! your fears are vain! 

Of my life's loyalty you are possessed. 

Think not (though I should never write again), 

That love has lost its ardor since confessed. 

30 



PINK ROSES. 

sweet little girl in the pink gingham dress, 
Who brought me a cluster of roses to-day, 
Just hear what the gift and the giver express,— 
My thoughts they've entangled— oh, which went 

away? 
Yourself or a bud ? I was dreaming, I guess. 

For flowers and donor both seem to be here ! 
Oh, is it not strange, little girl clad in pink, 
That roses can talk to me? One nodded '-Dear." 
They're all making love to me— what do you 

think? 
Some murmur ''I love you," and some say "Good 

cheer." 

"I think of you fondly; " "I like you indeed," 
Says one with pale petals, so like your soft cheek, 

1 open a book, but they'll not let me read, 

31 



32 PINK ROSES. 

Their fragrance pursues me — in your voice they 

speak, 
'' I love you, I love you ; my message pray heed." 

And one rivals you, dear, so fresh and so fair. 
Pink-robed little rosebud, with shy, beaming 

glance. 
It says what your eyes said, as standing just there 
You lifted and dropped them in mute eloquences- 
Dropped also the roses in charming despair. 

I know now, 'twas not you, my dear little maid, 
Rose-flushing and toying with those amber beads 
As you stood looking down. Your spirit has 

stayed ! 
Your love and your cheer, that my life sadly needs, 
Will linger long after the pink roses fade. 



WAIT. 

[suggested by JOHN BURROUGHS'S "WAITING."] 

Why make such haste ? Why scorn delay ? 

Of no avail thy eager pace. 
Serenely work, and watch and pray, 

For what is thine shall find its place. 

The wind may drive thy bark astray ; 

Drifting afar thou now may'st be; 
Sleeping or waking, night and day, 

The shore thou seekest waits for thee. 

Why rush, and call, and weep, and chide? 

Ships go and come across the sea ; 
Mayhap, as thou dost hopeless bide. 

One, treasure-laden, sails to thee. 

The clover, nodding in the wind. 

E'en now is plighted to the bee- 
Sigh not, lover ! thou art Wind— 
If she is thine, she'll wait for thee. 
33 



34 WAIT. 

The stars must find their place — the sky ; 

The rivers reach their home— the sea; 
" Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high" 

Can keep tnme own away trom thee. 



IN COMING DAYS. 

Feast thou thine eyes on waters calm and still, 
On wooded shores afar of deepest green ; 

On verdant lawns that slope from yonder hill 
So softly mirrored in blue depths serene. 

White sails are furled ; gay little pleasure-boats 
Move slowly here and there ; beyond the bay 

Where bulrush stands and water-lily floats 
Are fields of yellow grain and domes of hay. 

It is a peaceful scene; one gladsome thought 

Pervades it all while thou dost fondly gaze- 
Each subtile charm thy heart and brain have 
caught, 
And fixed indelibly for coming days. 

Not for this hour alone thy soul inspire 

With draughts of joy from each dear, perfect 

spot; 

35 



36 IN COMING DAYS. 

Months hence thou'lt quench the thirst of thy 
desire 
With memories of beauty unforgot. 

Feast thou thy vision, then, each passing day 
On every changing view of lake and shore! 

For this indeed is Nature's lavish way. 
All thou dost see is thine forever more, 

In spite of blindness, sorrow, sin or pain ; 

E'en though delusions come with dimming haze, 
Some glimpse of all this glory will remain 

To sweeten life for thee in coming days. 



IF THOU CANST TELL ME SOMETHING KIND. 

If thou canst tell me something kind 

That has been thought of me, 
If thou canst lift my spirit up 

To moods of buoyancy, 
Then speak the words, I pray thee, dear, 

However light they seem ; 
Withhold not from me anything 

That adds to life's sweet dream. 

If thou canst tell me of some one 

Whom I have chanced to aid, 
If thou canst point to me some spot 

That I have brighter made, 
Then softly whisper unto me 

In accents fond and low, 

The kind truth never hurts nor harms, 

But sets the heart aglow. 
37 



38 IF THOU CANST TELL ME SOMETHING KIND. 

So come with light, and warmth, and cheer. 

To meet me every day ; 
Reflect to me the world's bright smiles, 

And hide its frowns alway. 
Oh, hast thou sorrows of thine own? 

Have others injured thee? 
Unburden as thou wilt, I'll lend 

My tender sympathy. 

But if some cruel, heedless tongue 

Has uttered words of hate, 
With justice or injustice cursed 

My errors, hesitate 
Before thou tell'st me what will bring 

But shadows in my life. 
God knows we all have need of love 

To calm our secret strife. 

If thou canst tell me something kind 
That has been thought or spoken ; 

If thou canst lift a spirit, sad. 
By treachery oft broken, — 



IF THOU CANST TELL ME SOMETHING KIND. 89 

Repeat it, dear; my faith inspire, 

However vain it seem. 
For I would fain l)e trustful still, 

jSor waRe from liies sweets dream. 



YE BEAUTEOUS HILL>S OF FRANKFORT! 

O ye happy hills of Frankfort ! 

Wist ye why to-day we sigh ? 
Gentle hills that sit and listen 

To the tender, leaning sky; 

Shadowed hills, enlaced with sunshine, 

Mist-embosomed, silence-clad, 
Do ye feel our yearning homage, 

Know why we no more are glad ? 

'Tis because, amid your forests, 

In the hush of "Arnold's wold," 
Walks a bard who speaks your language ; 

One to whom ye oft have told 

Secrets of transcendent sadness. 

Which so freely forth he breathes 

That he low rebukes our rapture. 

And to us your sigh bequeaths. 
40 



YE BEAUTEOUS HILLS OF FRANKFORT! 41 

Oh wild-tangled wold , soul wooing, 
Stretched in smiling, careless grace 

'Neath the arch of clouds far distant, 
But for him upon your iace 

We could only read a story 

Fraught with radiant joy's deep thrills; 
But he lives, and he your voice is, 

Your own voice, ye once-mute hills ! 

Griefs vicarious does he suffer. 
Till your strength is the world's gain ; 

Happy hills ? Nay, mounts transfigured 
By the Poet's steadfast pain. 



GOUNOD'8 SPRING SONG. 
(encore.) 

Sing me the song once more ! 
The song of spring, that cheers us o'er and o'er; 
The song of Hope that breathes of brighter days. 
In my far home, when birds shall northward soar, 
To bless my loved ones there with gladsome lays. 

Sing me the song once more. 

Trill the ecstatic song ! 
Thy lips do like the lark its strains prolong, 
Thy voice alone can its full meaning bear. 
Thy swelling, soulful, happy, circling throng 
Of liquid notes that flow into the air. 

Trill the ecstatic song ! 

Gounod, thy breath awaits ! 

Without thy magic whisper he creates 

No sounds divine, no subtile harmonies. 

42 



GOUNOD'S SPRING SONG. 43 

But silent keeps until thou op'st the gates 
Of spring, then speaks responsive to my sighs. 
Gounod, thy breath awaits ! 

Oh, sing it all aerain ! 
It soothes my weary senses ; lulls my pain. 
Thy smiles inspire ; thy buoyant melodies 
Uplift my soul, and I no more complain. 
Though I were in despair, they'd bid me rise,— 

Oh, sing it all again ! 

A spring song forever ! 
So passion, hope, and promise never 
Shall leave my heart, but through life's listful night, 
Though storms of pain may come, they cannot 

sever 
The echoing tones from my rapt soul's delight. 

A spring song forever ! 



TO A SOUTHERN LYRIST. 

I swear by the yellow cnrysanthenmm, 

And the red rose thou didst send me, 

That thou nevermore shouidst be sad and dumb 

Had I the art to befriend thee. 

I'd Poesy woo with beckoning smile 

To love and ever attend me ; 

All Joy that she breathed as we strayed erstwhile 

I would gladly, freely lend thee. 

I'd sources learn of thy musical verse 
From the goddess gay in keeping ; 
Soft hie to thy side; rich measures rehearse, 
Whenever I caught her sleeping. 

I would borrow from her the sunbeams stored 

For other bards to enkindle ; 

Sweet fancies steal from her frolicsome horde, 

And strands of song from her spindle. 

44 



TO A SOUTHERN LYRIST. 45 

I'd win all her secrets of lyric art, 
And speed to thee to betray them, 
Should others list at the door of my heart, — 
Ruthless and loyal, I'd slay them ! 

Swear thou by the yellow chrysanthemum, 
And the red rose thou didst send me, 
That thou nevermore wilt be sad and dumb 
If I can ever befriend thee I 



AT OCEAN SPRINGS. 

In the South to-day, where the red-bird's lay 

Floats down from the cedar trees, 
And magnolias toss the clinging moss 

To the warm and wooing breeze; 
'Neath the feathery pines, 'mid tangled vines ; 

Where the peach its pink bloom sheds ; 
Where rich are the yields of the cotton-fields ; 

And the grand live-oak outspreads ; 
Where the skies are blue all the long year through, 

And the months seem an endless June, 
And from dawn till dark the fisherman's barque 

Dots the bayou and still lagoon ; 
Where the breath of the sea sweeps saltily 

Across the sands to the hills, 

And rising meets the resinous sweets 

And Hygeia their air distills ; 

46 



AT OCEAN SPRINGS. 47 

Oh, there are Dooks that Winter o'erlooks 

And there shall my home nest be. 
Blithe birdlings of Love, in my treasure-trove 

No frosts shall ever fright thee. 
Sweet Peace shall stay with me alway ; 

She singeth in undertone,— 
" I've found you at last ! All your pain is past, 

For this is my slumber-zone." 
So at Ocean Springs, where the mockbird sings 

On the Misissippi shore, 
In a quiet spot, by winter forgot 

I'll hide till his reign is o'er. 



IN A LIBRARY. 

Silent companions of this leisure hour, 
Scribes of the spirit, let me own your power ! 
There are no griefs that pain ; no cares that fret, 
But in your presence dear, I can forget. 
To you I turn, knowing that I shall find 
Warmth for my heart and solace for my mind. 
What tender frankness is in all your looks, 
As thus I question you, gentle books ! 

Can you teach all the lessons you have learned ? 
Whisper of hidden wrongs you have discerned? 
Make all your truth transparent to my view ? 
Give me your very soul, as 'twere my due ? 

Ah, sweet the answer which your smiles reveal, 
You could not, if you would, your thoughts con- 
ceal! 

48 



LINES, ON BEGINNING A STUDY OF 
ROBERT BROWNING. 

Ah, who can mourn at vanished youth 

While verdant meads of dewy truth 

Unroll each day before the eyes, 

Keeping alive that glad surprise 

Which old age misses all the while 

When wisdom ceases to beguile ? 

The "Unending Genesis" of things 

We view at every step ; the springs 

Of youth eternal sparkling lie 

O'er all these meads. Blest infancy 

Of spirit-sense! On one small page 

Shine tropic truths so rare that age 

Under their fragrant incense ivoeps 

The blissful wonderment that steeps 

The baby mind in sweet content ! 

books divine! God-eloquent! 

Into my fading life you bring 

Continued thought, eternal spring. 

And never, while I drink your wine, 

Can old age touch this soul of mine, 

49 



A WOMAN'S LOVE. 

Asleep, awake ; alone, in crowdw ; where e'er I be, 
In thought, in word, in deed, I will be true to thee. 
Thy mate I'd be in chains, though law might set 

me free. 
In chains? Yes, fettered fast beyond escape for 

aye, [stay. 

So, loved and loving, thou, mine own, beside me 
Content with thee I'd live, and for thee cheerful die. 
Too abject in my homage, sayest thou, beloved ? 
I am a woman — not the first— with feelings moved 
To depths irrational. Unsafe such depths have 

proved: 
But I trust all to thee, and find in trust my heaven ; 
To doubt thee, e'en in dreams, would be crime un- 

forgiven 
By self, pardoned by God, but poisoning love's 

leaven. 
No sacrifice too great! Sing on, ye poet, sing 
Of woman's love, which doth complete surrender 

bring. 

Say that Love was, and is, and ever shall be king. 

50 



A COMPARISON. 

Thou sayestthy clarinette has faults, my friend 
Soon as the words are said I see thee bend 
And touch caressingly the instrument, 
As if, mayhap, its imperfections lent 
To ownership a loyal, tender grace, 
Which rests upon thy self-reproachful face. 
I can but plead that thus compassionate 
Thou'lt be with one who loves thee, but whose 

fate 
It is to know and feel the bitter pain 
Of disappointing thee; for she would fain 
Respond to every smile or sigh of thine ; 
Be silent when thou wishest; only shine 
In social sphere when winsome yielding ways 
Bring thee, her guide and god, inspiring praise 
For homage so devout, sincere. To thee 

She doth adapt her every mood, as sea 

61 



52 A COMPARISON. 

To changeful wind. Her spirits fall and rise 
Under thy censuring or approving eyes. 
Thy breath, melodious, full soon will warm 
To superhuman song the lifeless form 
Of clarion keys. Ah, latent forces dwell 
In fond hearts, too ! What magic spell 
Of ceaseless harmony thou might' st create 
By being less exacting with thy mate ! 



ROCK OF HOPE. 

Inquirer, be thou careful lest 

In thy desire for stronger test 

Of immortality, thou fall 

Upon some fearful chemical, 

Which, when thou thinkest not, shall turn 

Thy hopes to fears, or slowly burn 

Thy heart's old faith until remain 

But skeptic doubt. Oh, do not stain 

With sneers the mantle of thy youth, 

But keep it white with trust in truth 

Thou canst not prove ; with caution wise, 

Approach thy being's mysteries. 

Be free to speak, be free to think, 

But ever see the atheist's brink 

On which with dread the human soul 

Stands poised. Oh, lose not thy control 

Of powers divine, but scan the sky's 

Remotest bound ; lift thou thine eyes 
53 



54 ROCK OF HOPE. 

As high as heaven, and gaze afar; 

With eager spirit search the star, 

So thou dost constant keep in mind 

The law of gravity. The wind 

Of sudden doubt may harshly blow 

And plunge thee into depths below 

Of unbelief, from which in vain 

Thou'lt try to grasp thy faith again, 

But never canst thou thus be moved 

If, on the Rock of Hope, ungrooved, 

By time's great floods, thou'lt fix they feet, 

The storms of life may rudely beat 

About thy soul. Thou canst endure 

If on this Rock thou'lt stand secure. 



REVISION. 

Seeking perfection, heaven's skies 
Pursuant change from deepest dyes 
To softest tints. The sunshine tries 
In vain to fadeless stay : it vies 
With fleeting splendors that arise 
In rainbow arch. Ah, subtleties 
Of Nature's laws! Do we despise 
Her works, replete with mysteries, 
Because she nothing fixed descries? 

Seeking perfection, the soul's skies 
Pursuant change from deepest dyes 
Of faith to reason pale. Man tries 
In vain to changeless stay. Faith vies 
With passing facts that bright arise 
In science realms. Ah, subtleties 
Of man's clear brain ! Shall he despise 
His tendency to oft revise 



56 REVISION, 

His loves, his hates, his party ties, 

The creeds that once were deemed so wise? 

Matched in eternal sympathies 

Are changing moods of souls and skies. 

There is no loss ! Nature is wise. 
The dawn displays the sunset dyes. 

There is no loss ! God's truth ne'er dies. 
Time all revision sanctifies. 



DEFEAT. 

I know thee not 1 Aias for inose 
To whom thou canst thy form disclose. 
Oft I discern fiend-shapes afar 
Tn dim outlines, but lo ! a star 
Shines also from black space ; a friend 
Disguised as foe, fierce storm-clouds send. 
My will hath taught me how to gain 
Profit from loss, pleasure from pain. 
"Will is supreme ! Grim spectres rise 
No more when I have missed a prize. 
I fear no foes but those within, 
My soul dreads no defeat but sin. 

And what sin is I can decide 

For self alone— /am my guide. 

Success in self at any cost, 

Attain I that and nought is lost. 
57 



THE VALUE OF GIFTS. 

I have learned to prize love, not for love's happi- 
ness, 
But because when it eoraes my own g:lad heart to 

bless 
With its sweet, subtile perfume, its tropical heat, 
I am stronger life's laoors and duties to meet. 
Withhold from me love and 1 care not to live — 
For when 'tis denied me I have less to give 
To the lonely and loveless. So all gifts I prize 
As they broaden and deepen my soul's sympathies. 



JOY. 
I have learned to love joy, not for joy's sake alone. 
But because of the sorrows its contrasts have 

shown. 
Wherever the sunlight falls brightest, the shade 
Slants longest and farthest. Oh, 1 am afraid 
To love joy for joy's sake!— and I only will ask 
In its rapture and radiance and glory to bask, 
Until my soul glows with such warm sympathy 

That some who are joyless may joy find in me. 

58 



MY MITHER'S WEE BIT PLAID. 

Gie me the wee bit plaid she used to throw 

Across her shapely shoulders, thus ! and so ! 

Ye ken the wa' ? Sa sure fu' fifty years 

0' my ain life, as I look back, appears 

The square 'o finest wool, which mither wore 

Or wrapped her bairns in, in sweet days o' yore. 

She had it on the night my daddie died. 

And at the door, to meet my bonnie bride, 

She stood wi' it on. If it could speak at all, 

Muckle 'twould tell, — my mither's auld plaid shawl. 

I dinna want her brooches nor her rings ; 

Nor dainty caps, the salt an' filmy things 

That lent sic witchin' charms an' quaintsome grace 

To hier bent head an' couthrie, aged face. 

I dinna wish to keep the brocades rare, 

That queens once enviously saw her wear ; 

Nor yet the wondrous scarf my uncle brought 

From foreign lands, wi' 'broidered palm-leaves 

wrought. 

Nay, lassie, ye may ha'e her trinkets all. 

I'll fold awa' my mither's auld plaid shawl. 

59 



BEGONE, SUSPENSE! 

Thou wretched, haggard, tottering dame! 

Exile from Hades ! without name 

Save such as in thy changeful moods 

Thou givest thyself; thy form obtrudes 

Its ugly shape into the mind, 

And lingers there with looks unkind 

When men dare dream of being blest 

With hope; that less exacting guest 

Of whom thou jealous art when near, 

Thou seest her timidly appear. 

Begone, Suspense, from hearts that ache 

With dim forebodings ! Better break 

And under Certainty once cry 

Than meet thy cruel, treacherous eye 

Which nothing tells, yet doth suggest 

Ills that elude the keenest quest. 

Begone forever, evil hag ! 

When thou hast fled no more will lag 

Life's weary hours ; with swifter pace 

Time's feet will run their destined race. 

60 



HOPE AND FAITH. 

Oh, build thou not a fence of dire distrust 
Around thy life by stern, unchanging creeds. 
Make but a simple hedge of hope and faith, 
And fill the space with worthy, Christ-like deeds. 

Let thy hope blossom in the early spring. 
And still bloom on when summer days depart; 
And when cold winter brings its wild, fierce storms, 
Thy faith keep warmth and freshness in thy heart. 

Let thy whole life be luminous as day. 
For it will last while sun and systems roll ; 
Through countless ages on thy unknown course 
A loving God will guide thy deathless soul. 

So build thou not a wall of doubt and fear 
Around thy heart by stern, unchanging creeds ; 
Make but a simple hedge of hope and faith, 
And fill the space with noble, Christ-like deeds. 

61 



I DREAMED THAT YOU LOVED ME. 

I dreamed that you loved me ; I dreamed that you 

knelt 
And drew down my lips to your own ; 
And 'round my bent form your fond arms I felt 
As you told me, in reverent tone, 
How blest you would be if I'd grant your request 
And become your true wife. Oh, 'twas bliss 
To feel your head pillowed at last on my breast, 
And to press on your forehead my kiss. 

But alas, it was only a dream ! 

'Twas only a dream, alas! 

And here I sit sobbing, 

My heart is still throbbing, 

'Twas only a dream, alas ! 

I dreamed that you loved me ; I dreamed that you 

spake 

Of perfections so high and so rare. 

That I gazed in your eyes to see if awake 

You could be and yet deem me so fair. 

62 



/ DREAMED THAT YO I LOVED ME. 63 

They smiled into mine. Oh, I cannot forget 
The spell of thy silent control ; 
We plighted our troth ; I can feel thy kiss yet, 
And the rapture that flooded my soul. 

But alas, it was only a dream \ 

'Twas only a dream, alas! 

And here I sit sobbing, 

My heart is still throbbmg, 

'Twas only a dream, alas ! 



IMxMORTAL. 

Banish all raDdom thoughts that are not white; 
Let dreams and fancies be so chastely pure, 
That, leaving the mind's shade, they can endure 

The test of instantaneous, clear light. 

Mend thou thy broken speech, and make it whole; 
Let thy words be so worthy that if death 
Come suddenly, shall be thy latest breath 

A benediction to some passing soul. 

Before thy task is finished thou may'st tire; 
Let thy plans be so noble and so high 
That deeds undone shall be thy legacy 

To toilers whom thv life has helped inspire. 

Hold cheerful views! Eest ever in content ! 

But think, speak, act, and live as if to die. 

Let all that's false or purposeless go by. 

Immortal thou in life's accomplishment, 

64 



OPTIMISM. 

Earth still is blest, though cursed by sin ; 
All men may yet a saintship win. 

Depravities, though men may strive, 
For some wise end are kept alive. 

Earth would be heaven and every man 
A Christ, were this God's perfect plan. 

So let the world be worldly still. 
And find some good in every ill. 

65 



EXCUSE. 

As natural 'tis for some to sneer 

As 'tis for nitre to taste salt. 
Through every season of the year 

They frown ; and must we chide as fault 
The cynic-savors that pervade 

Their speech ? Our tender hearts are torn 
By irony. When most dismayed 

At skeptic scowls, the brine of scorn 
Doth threaten soon to overspread 

Our spirits too. But ever while 
The look of peace upon our dead 

Mocks hopeless grief, and the slow smile 
Of spring rebukes our restless haste, 

In Law beneficent we trust. 
All serve its ends. There is no waste 

In nature. The despised dust 

Is sacred though it dims the green ; 

The smallest pool reflects the sky ; 
66 



EXCUSE. 67 

So let us find for human mien 

Excuses just. He who is high, 
And sane, and sweet, is so by force 

Of nature and of circumstance. 
The low, the bitter, and the coarse 
Are the sad sport of fateful chance 
Pardon while yet condoling sin. 
Be miJd without, severe within. 



IN MINIATUEE. 

Soft golden sunshine flooded all the place. 

A calla lily in an antique vase 

Bent down and murmured to a maiden pure, 

<' Behold me, sweet, thyself in miniature." 

As the white flower in stately, proud repose 

From iridescent crystal calmiy rose, 

So did her graceful, white-robed figure lean 

From couch of blue 'mid yellow light serene. 

The sunshine fled at last; the maiden slept ; 

The lily in the dark its vigil kept. 

One morn the room with subtile scent was filled; 
A pink rose in the lily's place distilled 
Fragrance most rare; the blushing maid did seem 
In true accord with Nature's laws supreme. 
For, spoke the rose, as had the lily pure, 
"Behold me, sweet, thyself in miniature." 
She wak'ning saw in one effulgent hour 
The deeper hue of passion's holy flower. 
Each transport of love's rapturous delight 
The same speech from some blossom doth invite. 
"Whisper to day carnations, glowing pure, 

*' Behold me, sweet, thyself in miniature." 

68 



THE INVISIBLE SINGER. 

Such power lieth in Hope's soulful voice 
That listeners, sorrow-burdened, quick rejoice. 
Long have I followed her from place to place 
Hearing her sing, but seeing not her face. 
There seems some strange yet blest fatuity 
In my fond chase of this sweet fantasy. 

Presence ideal ! Reverently glad 
In her great gift I never-more am sad. 
The sentient thought, " Ah, deep within, I hear 
Those notes of heaven, resonant and clear," 
Give life such blithesomeness and buoyancy 
That I her face no more desire to see, 
Lest, hearing tones divinely pure, I prize 
Them lightly, thrilled by her prophetic eyes. 
Enough to list, and know what 'tis to be 
Inspired and strengthened by her minstrelsy. 

69 



PAIN. 

Pain is a strong and steadfast friend, 
On whom I've learned to lean ; 

He decks me oft with thorny wreaths, 
Calls me his gracious queen. 

I've met him in his sternest mood 
And gazed in fearless guise 

With trust unflinching, undisturbed, 
Into his flashing eyes. 

His lion-heart brooks no rebuff 

In its intensity ; 
I do not frown on my friend Fain, 

Nor deem him enemy. 

And thus he's grown to love me well ; 

Calls me his peerless queen ; 

Clothes me in robes of varied griefs 

That suit my royal mien. 
70 



HAIN. 

I know alas, the hour will come 

When Pain will find rae weak ; 
In his strong arms I'll helpless lie. 

His breath will blanch ray cheek. 

His voice e'en now calls unto me 

To cease this secret strife. 
With one who is all powerful 

To take a weary life. 

Yet still I struggle and forgive, 

Though hard is his control. 
This friend, who steals my body's strength, 

At last will free my soul. 



PARADOXICAL. 

I've been living and dying for thousands of years. 
I know everything— nothing, my hopes are all fears, 
And my fears are all hopes; that which saddens me 

cheers. 
Oh, my tears are all smiles, and my smiles are all 

tears. 
For so slowly do all things resolve into one, 
That ere I can say it this moment is done. 
'Tis melted as snow-flakes melt under the sur 
As the past is the present, the present is past. 
As the last is the first, so the first is the last. 
Time is nothing compared with eternity vast. 

All gain is loss, and all loss is gain. 
All love is joy, but all joy brings pain. 
Nothing is old and nothing is new, 
Nothing is false, and nothing quite true. 
Birth and death differ merely in view. 
Dreams are not dreams I oft realize 
While I am dreaming. He who is wise 

Proves he's asleep when dreaming denies ! 

72 



INHERITED MEMORIES. 

*< Why is it," she asked, "that the distant sky, 
And the purple mist, and those hills so high, 
Seem to me a part of a day gone by ? 
I've been here before! Yes, ages ago 
I saw this scene in the sun's golden glow. 
Since then I've died— and slept under the snow. 
Not I, but ancestors, distant you know. 

Self is a fraction. This I that you see 
Is a mere leaf from the family tree. 

* * * * * 

*' What beautiful clouds! Long centuries since 
Together we sat here watching their tints. 
Just this same morning in memory glints." 

* * * * * 

<'But let us go, dear, and no longer gaze, 

Or dim remembrances m^^ mind will daze. 

73 



74 INHERITED MEMORIES. 

Oh, when — where— how — why? The problem still 

stays ; 
We turned there— paused here— familiar all ways." 

Are these gleams of recognition 
Jjue to some occult conaition 
Of soul and sense, some suotile lav/ 
By means of which far forces draw 
From root to branch in human tree 
The sap of kinship flowing free? 

Like mock- bird, with a fettered wiug 
To the past our spirits cling ; 
Ever as new strains they sing, 
Dreams of some familiar thing 
O'er the soul their shadows fling. 



THE BOAT THAT HOLDS BUT TWO. 

We three were out a-rowing. 
The fitful breeze was blowing ; 
Fatigued was Tom, our oarsman, 
And flushed his features fair ; 
Sue helped the stalwart fellow, 
And brown eyes, soft and mellow, 
Oft sought responsive blue ones— 
As if 1 were not there. 

They shoulder sat to shoulder ; 

He grew a little bolder, 

And she quite forgot my presence, 

For she let him hold her hand ; 

And he whispered something to her— 

Could it be Tom was her w ooer ? 

Embarrassed by the tableau, 

I looked towards the land. 

75 



76 THE BOAT THAT HOLDS BUT TWO. 

'«Let us go," he said, ''to-morrow; 
This boat I will not borrow, 
But a lighter one, my dearest, 
And we'll take an early start." 
Oh, I tried hard not to listen. 
Nor to let the hot tears glisten - 
One moment on my eye-lids — 
Could they hear my throbbing heart? 

'Midst plans for pleasure-seeking — 
I found myself out speaking, 
As if in purest mischief, — 
" Oh , how 1 envy you ! 
To-morrow you'll row over 
To beckoning shores of clover, 
And land among the lilies — 
Does the boat hold only two?" 

" Only two," he quickly grumbled ; 
I was piqued and hurt and humbled, 
Though I laughed as if 'twere nothing 
But a charming joke to me. 



THE BOAT THAT HOLDS BUT TWO. 77 

Next day I sat a-sighing, 
In distance dim descrying 
Tom's big hat and Sue's red jacliet 
And — oho, the boat held three ! 

For just as they were going 
To start out on their rowing,— 
He prophetically silent, 
She humming a love-song, — 
Her cousin and her brother, 
Her uncle and her mother, 
All thought there must be room 
For one more to go along. 

They were slow in their deciding, 
Heeding not Sue's gentle chiding; 
Her mother wanted pickerel, 
And could scarcely bear to wait ; 
So her uncle, who was skillful, 
And fidgety and willful, 
Not only kept Tom rowing. 
But made him get the bait. 



78 THE BOAT THAT HOLDS BUT TWO. 

Tom owned to me this morning, 
That it served as timely warning,— 
"Though I hated her relations, 
I had meant to marry Sue. 
But you are so sweet and tender — 
And you know my purse is slender — 
So 1 choose you, dear, more wisely 
For your relatives are few." 
"On this matter of life-rowing,'^ 
Said I, " mankind is knowing ; 
But, dear Tom, I can't go with you 
In this ' boat that holds but two.' 
I have just received a letter, 
And my great-aunt, who was better, 
Has died and left me millions, 
If I'll row my own canoe." 



VALHALLA. 

A. NORSE SONG. 

Away, away to Valhalla ! 

The banquet hall of the sky,— 

Where the cloud-gods stay all the livelong day, 

And feast in revelry. 

They drink of the dawn's elixir, 

But its glow departs too soon ; 

And they silent sit in an infinite 

Repose, till the afternoon 

Across the horizon steals. 

And they rise refreshed and free, 

Heady to quaff with songs and laugh 

The vapors of land and sea. 

And they sip the wines of the sunset,— 

Sweet wines of a thousand dyes, 

And they never know care, nor sin's despair. 

Oh, let us away to the skies. 

Away, away to Valhalla, 

The banquet hall divine, 

Where, above the earth and its mimic mirth, 

The gods drink Odin's wine. 

79 



WITHIN THY DESK. 

Within thy cabinet I hid 

A souvenir. 
In silence pause : lift soft the lid ; 

Surprised peer ! 
Lo, thou wilt find it snugly lying 

In whate'er nook, 
'Mongst secret springs, so rev 'rent prying, 

Thine eye doth look. 

How coyly didst thou beckon me — 

'Twas months ago. 
With eager steps I followed thee, 

Eager to know 
What treasure, newfound, quaint, grotesque, 

Thoudst captured safe. 
Time's vagrant proved to be thy desk — 

Historic waif ! 

80 



WITHIN THY DESK. 8] 

Thou wast, in satin gown and lace, 

The daintiest dame; 
With coiffure high and beaming face, 

And cheeks aflame ; 
With glances dropping proudly down, 

How picturesque ! 
Pointing to prize from Moorish town 

In Arabesque. 

The spell was sweet. No lifeless thing 

Ensnares my mind. 
As flower in bloom, or bird on wing, 

Or voice all-kind. 
I could not praise thy gems of art, 

So winsome thou ! 
With gracious mien, and generous heart 

And gentle brow. 

As thou the key didst turn that day, 

Smiling on me ; 
A tender thought, locked safe away, 

I left for thee. 



82 WITHIN THY DESK. 

'Mongst all the relics thou mayst seek, 

Sometimes compare 
My simple gift, though not antique. 

With treasures rare. 

Methinks thou'lt find few offerings 

More chaste, sincere ; 
Keep 'neath thy desk's most sacred springs 

My souvenir. 
Forever let it there be hid— 

The thought most sweet, 
And always when thou lift'st the lid 

Ihy soul 'twill greet. 



FORGIVENESS. 

Forgiveness is the fragrance rare and sweet, 
That flowers yield when trampled on by feet 
That reckless tread the tender, teeming earth 
For blossoms crushed and bleeding, yet give birth 
To pardon's perfume. From the stern decrees 
Of unforgivenesss Nature ever flees. 

83 



MUTE. 

As side by side we stood, afar 

We saw the falling of a star. 

**Thus silently," thou saidst to me, 

<* Let love depart. It cannot be ! 

But as the heavens show no sign 

Of meteor lost, this hour divine. 

With passion pure, must stand 

Forever sacred." Thy command 

I do obey. We, too, alone 

Will take into the vast unknown 

The mem'ry of that wondrous light 

Which flashed, and fled for aye. In night 

Of Silence, starless, stanch and deep. 

Mutely I sit and think and weep. 
84 



THE FREEDOM LOVE DOTH CRAVE. 

Freedom to be thy faithful, self-appointed slave ; 

Thine, only thine, until I reach my grave, 

Canst thou believe that I this freedom crave? 

I'd deem that day divine that made my lose thy 

gain; 

I'd find my highest joy in sacrificial pain ; 

I'd keep my love for thee without a single stain 

Of doubt, or scar of selfishness ; I'd ever stand 

Like Iris, the swift- winged, awaiting thy command; 

Or follow thee in silence over sea and land. 

85 



STARWARD. 

Starward gazing through thy tears, 
Thou didst wander weary years 
On the road thy infant feet 
Had found thornless, safe and sweet. 
All the while, though steps were light, 
Thy poor spirit chafed. A blight 
Fell upon thy mind ; thy will 
Grew so weak thou could st fulfill 
With faint heart the duties meet 
Lying at thy snow-white feet. 
Tempted too, yet onward toiling, 
Never once thy white feet soiling. 

But a change there came at length, 
Love o'ertook thee in his strength, 
While both lithe and pure and fleet 

Were thy supple, dainty feet, 

86 



STARWAED. 87 

Swiftly changed thy inmost thought. 
Thou to face new laws wast brought. 
Thou hadst strayed erstwhile as far 
As thou couldest toward thy star. 
Doubtful of the world's stern codes. 
Loitered thou near devious roads. 
" No fixed star my steps shall guide," 
Thou didst cry in anguished pride. 

"Blest, not cursed, I'll be with love; 
Starless, pathless will I rove 
Wheresoe'er love leads my feet; 
Freedom shall make life complete. 
God was thwarted , 'twas not I, 
When, compelled new ways to try, 
I, avoiding walls and hedges 
Heedless, reckless, scorning pledges, 
Walked forth fearless, true, and fleet, 
Wondering at God's defeat! 
Love's own laws I now obey." 
" List," says one, '* she's gone astray." 



88 STARWARD. 

Gone astray? Forever lost? 
Nay, thy Christ doth thee accost. 
Weary, wayward child, my blame 
Lightly falls. The night of shame 
Has its star which shines for thee, 
Guide through all eternity. 
Thy frail will no more shall sway. 
Thy sad soul shall find its way 
Down the ages, till thy feet 
Stand before God's judgment-seat. 
Freedom is unknown to thee ; 
Death alone can set thee free. 
But not 'neath the waves a close 
Seek for thy heart's hopeless woes. 
Starward gaze thou through thy tears ; 
Bear the burden of thy years ; 
Fill thy days with toil and prayer ; 
Save some soul thy soul's despair. 



SOUVENIR. 

Unfailing friend, thy gift I prize 

Above all treasures. Ah, wouldst know 

What 'tis I own ? The after-glow 

Of those rare hours, when thy loved eyes 

Met mine in perfect faith and trust 

Has lingered all these skeptic days, 

Has outworn keepsakes dear, and stays 

The one memento that the rust 

Of time and change has not made dim. 

When I would yield to tragic grief 

At scoffs and sneers, thy gift, belief, 

Supports my soul, and spectres grim 

Of worldly censure disappear 

At thought of eyes that read me true, 

And spoke thy trust from depths of blue,- 

What loss to lose this souvenir ! 

89 



LO! I'VE SEEN AN EAGLE'S NEST. 

Lo ! I've seen an eagle's nest ; 
Looked down from the lofty crest 
Of a mountain, at whose base 
Kollicked with rock-broken pace, 
Splashing half its life away 
'Gainst the towering canons gay. 
All to rest and peace unknown— 
The rushing, rippling Yellowstone. 

Like my Soul's its thwarted quest, 

Till I saw an eagle's nest. 

Lo! I've seen an eagle's brood; 

Felt the spell of Sibyl's mood ; 

Gazed with deepening ardor down 

Through cliff-spaces, golden brown. 

White as chalk and red as blood, 

Toward the Yellowstone's swift flood. 

'Mid the murmurings of the falls, 

List ! my ear caught birdlings' calls, 

Like my Soul's, unsatisfied, 

Till the eagle's nest I spied. 
90 



LO! rVE SEEN AN EAGLES NEST. 91 

Lo ! I've seen an eagle's home; 
Let my glance enraptured roam 
To the radiant sunset sky ; 
And below, where walls outvie 
Haughtiest hues, and each ravine 
Palette seems of the Unseen. 
Hail, All-Artist's regal throne : — 
Canons of the Yellowstone. 

Hail, thou Pisgah of the west, 

Where I saw the eagle's nest. 

Freedom's eyrie, proudly found ! 
Foes may threaten and surround. 
Sin and sorrow, pain, despair, 
Seek my spirit's lowly lair, 
Still one moment, most sublime, 
Will outwing my earth-bound time. 
Freedom's birdlings pinioned there, 
Mimicked my defeat and care. 

Lo, my soul says, "Victor;— rest." 

I have seen the eagle's nest. 



I HAVE COME TO GO. 

"I have come to stay," sang the robin 
From the budding maple tree, 
But to-day on barren branches 
Her deserted home I see, 

I muse on the warm, sweet southland 

To which the robin fled, 

When the northern breezes chilled her. 

And I think of my wiser dead, 

As having followed some instinct 

Of the soul for a safer home ; 

And such trust as a bird or a bride has 

Is mine wherever I roam. 

My home will tenantless be, 

I shall seek some far-off clime, 

A stranger will come for me, 

I'll go forth with my Love sometime. 

92 



rVE COME TO GO. 93 

The bird and the bride are gladsome 
In the thought "I have come to stay,'* 
But I cannot rest till my dear Love 
Has borne me forever away 
From the fickle winds of earth, 
From the friendships that ebb and flow ; 
From the passion and pain of life, 
Thank God , I have come to go ! 

My faith in eternal shelter 
Grows stronger each fitful day, 
To some unknown, sunny southland. 
My soul will find its way. 



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